Patricia Boyle died on Saturday, 2 April 2011 in Victoria, BC. She was born in Guelph in 1941 and lived in London, Ontario, London, England, Saskatoon and Calgary before coming to the west coast. It was during a brief and lucky stop in Newfoundland that she met her beloved husband of 30 years, Neil.
She will be sorely missed by her husband; her sons, Colin and Iain; her daughters-in-law, Kip, Karen and Nicole; her grandchildren, Naëlle and Owen and by many, many relatives, friends and people whose lives she touched.
Pat was a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother. Her life blossomed when she had her two sons. She raised them with unconditional love, doting affection and sound advice. She had the gift of giving children her absolute attention and always celebrated the special moments of her family’s life. For Pat, family included many of her son’s friends, to whom she was like a second mother. She took the same delight in being a grandmother. It gave her the utmost joy to play with her grandchildren, teach them the names of plants, and read the stories that she had read to her own sons years before.
She was blessed with a husband who loved her absolutely and whom she loved absolutely in return. Their travels together to six continents, gardening and many games of scrabble were part of a deep love that began from the moment they met.
Pat was a true renaissance woman. She lectured at the University of Western Ontario in geography, worked as a writer and editor in the oil patch, was a Calgary School Board Trustee and later, Advisor to the Calgary School Board on Gender Issues. She was a strong feminist role model for all the women in her life – and the men, too, including her two sons. She was particularly proud of her role in ending corporal punishment in the Calgary School Board, her work with male primary school teachers, and the work she did for gay and lesbian students.
In Victoria, she dedicated herself to becoming a native plant gardener with special interests in Garry Oak ecosystems. She was proud to help naturalize the woodlands at Government House, which she coordinated with many other volunteers. She received the Acorn Award in 2009 from the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team.
She loved many things, including her friends, books, cryptic crosswords, Canadian art, Scrabble, birding, travel, hiking in the Rockies (particularly Lake O’Hara), politics, and people. She had an amazing ability to bring out the beauty around her, in her relationships with people, gardens, and homes that she lived in.
There will be a Celebration of Her Life at MCCALL’S FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 2 pm. Anyone who wishes to say a few words about Pat will have an opportunity to speak, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Pat’s passions are encouraged to consider donations to Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team, Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society, and the Government House Woodlands gardens. She would also be delighted if you could plant a native plant, pull an invasive weed, or put up a birdhouse on your property. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
52 Responses
Dear Neil and family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Pat’s passing. As a fellow foodie, I have warm memories of my introduction to the merits of an angel food cake slicer,the taste of her creme carmel at the Oakley Centre meetings at your home,and the joys and woes of making hollandaise sauce. She was a gracious,generous and classy lady who had great respect for nature and all people. I am honored to call her a friend.
With love and sympathy,
Jean Clintberg (and Carl)
Neil, I was so sorry to learn of your very sad loss. Your wife was an amazing lady…..
May you and your family be comforted by happy memories.
My thoughts are with you in your time of sadness.
Dr Michele Moss (Calgary)
Neil, Iain & Colin,
Like so many other people whose names appear here and whose lives were touched by Pat, we were terribly sorry to hear of her passing. We were blessed to have you as our neighbours in Calgary and missed you sorely when you left for the coast. We will always remember Pat’s lovely smile and gentle nature. Our condolences go out to you all.
Steve, Monica and family.
Hope you got our earlier condolence wish.
Was using friend’s computer so making sure.
We’ve missed your presence in Elbow Park, but we’ve been gone since 2006…living in Signal Hill>west up 17th Ave.
Our sympathy and best wishes at this challenging time in your life!
Don & Linda
Neil, Iain & Colin
I was so deeply saddened hearing the news via Aaron of Pat’s passing. She was a true inspiration to both Aaron and myself in those long ago years. I remember standing in awe of this wonderful family, this incredible woman as we walked through your garden, sharing stories and a true sense of focus and enjoyment. Pat was so incredibly encouraging and I cherish the time I was able to have spent with her. She was and is a truly amazing person that most certainly left an impression on me. You are all in my thoughts… All my Love
Dean Johnson (Ottawa)
I first met Pat and Neil when I was birdwatching at Esquimalt Lagoon. There was a couple there who’d just moved to Victoria from Alberta and they asked me what it was they were looking at out on the ocean through their spotting scope. They were absolutely thrilled to know it was a Rhinoceros Auklet and I thought, wow, how many Albertans have even heard of a Rhinoceros Auklet, let alone are excited by seeing one.
Then a couple of years later I me Pat through the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, and we began a friendship. I was drawn to her optimism, good humour, and commitment to our collective work at GOERT. After a couple of meals together we began talking about birding, and we realised that we’d all first met while looking at that auklet. Later I found that Pat was into even more obscure things, like identifying native grasses. So Pat was one of the few friends with whom I could talk about both native plant taxonomy AND the finer points of bird identification. But of course she was so much more than just another nature nerd in a city full of nature nerds. She was probably one of Victoria’s best gardeners in a city full of amazing gardeners. She was a tireless volunteer for groups working to conserve native ecosystems. She was the best combination of warm and witty and wise. She was generous and hospitable and caring, and she had a wicked sense of humour and a great laugh.
As her obituary says, “She had an amazing ability to bring out the beauty around her in her relationships with people, gardens and homes that she lived in.” She was such a good and dear friend, and to many, many people. She lived her life so well. Pat, I will deeply miss you.
For the family of Patricia Boyle:
Our sincerest sympathies. Pat was a beautiful person and the world is a lesser place without her.
God Bless. Zelda and Tom Yeoman, Calgary
Simply put she was a woman of honour, principle and integrity. She helped me be a better Chief Superintendent of Schools for the Calgary Board of education when she was trustee. Condolences to all the family.
We recently read the notice in the Herald about Pat’s death.
We extend our sympathy to Neil & family and send our best wishes and understanding.
We now have 4 grandchildren on the west coast and get out to Vancouver and Victoria 2-4 times each year.
Don & Linda
Hello Neil and Family,
It was with heart felt sorry when I read the news of Pat’s passing. She was an amazing woman who influenced many lives – including mine!
She had such quiet strength and determination, an artistic flair and a gentle compassion for all people.
May you find comfort in the knowledge that memories of Pat will stay joyfully in the hearts of all who knew her.
Sincere condolences,
Mary Boyes, Sydney and Elliot McLauchlan (neighbours in Elbow Park)